People travelling on Highway 19A in Nanaimo will soon experience an easier drive, as a portion of the route will be resurfaced in summer 2018.

A nine-kilometre-long section of Highway 19A that sees approximately 40,000 vehicles per day will be improved, with resurfacing between Brechin Road and Norwell Drive, and repairs between Norwell Drive and Mary Ellen Drive.

“Thousands of people drive this busy stretch of Highway 19A every day to get around Nanaimo, and there is some wear and tear as a result,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “This route is the primary access to Nanaimo’s shopping centres and connection point for businesses. People will notice a big difference with new pavement and repairs between Brechin Road and Mary Ellen Drive.”

Construction on the project will be restricted to night-time work only (between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.) to minimize delays during peak-traffic periods. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are reminded to obey traffic-control personnel, construction speed limits and all signs. Notices will be posted on dynamic message boards, as well as on DriveBC. 

Lafarge Canada Inc. of Nanaimo has been awarded the $3.5-million contract for the resurfacing project. Work is expected to begin next week, and finish by mid-September 2018.